Dan Malesela confirms trimming Marumo Gallants squad from 48 to 33

The club returned to the PSL topflight after purchasing the Moroka Swallows status, inheriting existing contract alongside players that were already on Gallants’ books prior to the sale.

Speaking to SABC Sport at the launch of the Betway Premiership, Malesela confirmed that he arrived to find a squad of 48 players, which he has now trimmed.

"Huge difference between when I first started and now. First of all, it was the number of players that we have to trim down and now we've gotten the squad to a reasonable number. I still think it's a big number but it is only safe to have 33 players, they are 33 including the keepers, we were 48," Malesela said.

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Malesela, who was appointed soon after Dylan Kerr refused to share responsibilities as co-coach of Gallants, reveals that his intention is to reduce the number further.

"I think max 28, if you then have a good and well-balanced team you can cut two but if we have 28 then we must have some players that are coming up, either from the DDC coming into the senior team, maybe three or four of them at a go."

With Gallants scheduled to play their home matches at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein this season, Malesela is excited about the project.

"Now we are still in Johannesburg but we are leaving tomorrow for Bloemfontein. It's only privileged people who have supporters at their home grounds and one appreciates that support and I'm sure we won't disappoint."